Re: [CR]Re: Vintage aluminium bikes-ON topic

(Example: Bike Shops)

Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 22:38:16 -0600
To: brucerobbins@worldmailer.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Bicycle Classics inc" <bikevint@tiac.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Vintage aluminium bikes-ON topic


Hi CR folks,

I'll tread on risky territory here. The "expert" on aluminum bikes asked ME to be a speaker on this exact topic at the Larz show. I really know next to nothing about these, which makes me wonder how much the "expert" really knows.

At least until the past several years, the only folks who know much about these bikes were in France. The well known French historian Raymond Henry lights up when discussion turns to Bara, the most well known of the french aluminum builders.

As I understand it, Bara frames like most others were prone to failure. Folks I know who are now closely tied to the french collectors tell me that there was a lesser known aluminum builder who gained expertise in the auto industry. He supposedly built some functional and reliable aluminum frames.

There were actually many French builders working with aluminum, it was not just an isolated event.

A popular pre-war French aluminum bike is the Caminargent, which used Octogonal aluminum tubing fixed into cast aluminum lugs with allen fittings I believe. This frame could actually come apart into many pieces! Unfortunately, while expecially cool, they were as I understand not terribly pleasant to ride as the parts tended to move around a bit. In the French inner circle they are not as sought after as the welded bikes from makers such as Bara.

That is about all I know about these. At some point maybe I can see if some of my friends can get some more info which I could share with the CR group.

Mike Kone

At 02:05 PM 7/26/01 -0700, brucerobbins@worldmailer.com wrote:
>Dale,
>
>There is someone I know who could tell us shed loads about vintage aluminium bikes, much of which might be quite fascinating.
>
>However, he was dumped from the list some time ago and, understandably, says he's not too bothered about sharing his knowledge with us.
>
>I think that's a pity because it would be great to hear how they made aluminium bikes decades ago and how they have stood the test of time.
>
>Instead of conjecture, we might have some really useful evidence.
>
>I don't suppose there's any chance he could be allowed back, is there?
>
>Bruce "Free Ken with every aluminium bike" Robbins
>
>Dale wrote:
>
>> Hmmm. There are vintage aluminum bikes I think, but no (vintage or otherwise)
>> bikes contracting Hoof in Mouth disease...
>> But I do agree that the Aluminum topic has gone off the path ...I have
>> deleted 98% percent of the Aluminum thread without reading it...
>
>
>
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